While the world marched to the Industrial Revolution, Thoreau walked in the woods. Ebbs’ the-audience-is-part-of-the-show approach heads outdoors to rediscover the man who showed us that the road not taken is the only way to go.

Tickets: pay what you can. June 6-7 performances are at Museum London; all other performances are at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Production Credits

1 thought on “A Different Drummer”

The man launches into our presence like a gnarled tree stump coming vibrantly back to life. His body twists and stretches with returning vitality just as on opening night the branches of the great tree above us sway and dip in the chilling wind. Resurrected Thoreau wraps us in his history, philosophy and – most delightfully – his sometimes rough and demanding, sometimes impish, wit. He doesn’t “invite” audience participation. Instead he circles us, jumps in with us from time to time and pulls us out at other times to assign us tasks to help build his story. Then he puts us back, usually giggling, for another go-round.

As always, this Fringe spans the spectrum from over-the-top ridiculous larks to challenging and confrontational dramas. On the other hand, Dan Ebbs’ “A Different Drummer” serves up satisfying and balanced fare – a meaty nutritious centre all wrapped up in an engaging roll of fun.